Date: May 2026

Small- and medium-sized commercial and industrial (C&I) customers are rapidly adopting behind-the-meter batteries—often independent of utility programs. Solar developers report increasing battery attachment rates, while customers seek resilience, bill savings, and operational flexibility. Yet, most utility demand response and VPP programs continue to focus on residential or large C&I segments, leaving this “missing middle” largely untapped. This session explores how small and medium C&I customers can become a scalable, high-impact resource for load flexibility and grid services. Panelists will discuss why this segment has historically been overlooked, how emerging business models are beginning to unlock value, and what utilities and aggregators must do differently to engage them. The discussion will also examine the role of C&I batteries in addressing local distribution constraints and supporting grid reliability. Attendees will gain practical insights and a forward-looking view of how to activate this growing segment as a meaningful contributor to VPP portfolios. 

Speakers:
Bruce Brazis, APS
Clay Gamble, Budderfly
John Powers, Elexity